About PackWiser
Packing costs, calculated instead of guessed.
PackWiser is a free packaging cost estimator. Enter an item's size, weight and fragility, and it picks the box, works out the cushioning, void fill and labor, and warns you about UPS and FedEx size surcharges before you ship.
- No account needed
- Free
- Double-box cushioning
- 2″ / 3″
- Surcharge checks
- UPS + FedEx
- Shows its math
- Every estimate
Why we built it
Estimating a packing job usually means grabbing a box that looks close enough, filling the gaps with bubble wrap, and hoping the carrier doesn't add an oversize charge. Too small and the item breaks. Too big and you pay to ship air.
The team at PickPackShip built PackWiser to replace that guess with the same measurements a careful packer would make, done in seconds.
Who uses PackWiser
Anyone who ships odd-sized, fragile or one-off items without a packing expert on hand.
Online sellers
Selling on eBay, Etsy, Poshmark or your own shop? Know the box and packing cost before you set the shipping price, so a sale doesn't lose money to an oversized box.
Auction buyers and sellers
Won something at auction, or shipping lots to buyers? Get a packing estimate for items you didn't pack yourself, before anyone pays for shipping.
Anyone shipping something fragile
Glassware, lamps, ceramics, art or a family heirloom. See how much cushioning it needs and whether it should go in a box inside a box.
Packing and shipping stores
Quote walk-in customers consistently. Stores can run the same engine through PickPackShip with their own boxes, material costs and labor rate.
How the estimate is made
PackWiser doesn't stop at volume. Every estimate runs four steps.
- Step 1
Nest the items and add protection
Multiple items are arranged together, then clearance is added based on how fragile each one is. More fragile items get more cushioning on every side.
- Step 2
Choose the box, or change one
Your items are tested against a catalog of standard boxes. If the closest fit leaves too much empty space, PackWiser checks whether cutting a box down or combining two boxes (telescoping) costs less.
- Step 3
Count materials and labor
Void fill is sized from the empty space left in the box, including how much loose fill settles. Wrap is sized from the item's surface area. Labor is estimated in seconds per task.
- Step 4
Check carrier size rules
The packed size and weight are checked against UPS and FedEx dimensional weight, Additional Handling, Large Package and Oversize thresholds, so you see a surcharge before you pay it.
It shows its work
Every estimate includes a Why this box? explanation with the measurements, assumptions and tradeoffs behind it, so you can check the result instead of taking it on faith.
What an estimate is not
Double-box guidance follows FedEx and UPS published packaging advice: about 2″ of cushioning inside the inner box and 3″ between boxes. A PackWiser estimate is not a carrier certification or a guarantee against damage, and it does not replace carrier requirements for liquids, batteries or hazardous materials.
Common questions
Is PackWiser free?
Yes. PackWiser is free to use and does not require an account.
What does a PackWiser estimate include?
A recommended box size, cushioning and void fill materials, estimated packing labor, billable weight, and any UPS or FedEx size surcharges the package may trigger. Each estimate explains why that box was chosen.
When does PackWiser recommend double boxing?
It flags items that likely need a box inside a box, based on FedEx and UPS published guidance: about 2 inches of cushioning around the item in the inner box and about 3 inches between the inner and outer boxes.
How accurate is the billable weight?
PackWiser models dimensional weight with the common UPS Daily and FedEx US divisor of 139. Your carrier account terms may differ, so treat it as an estimate rather than a quote.
Does PackWiser guarantee my package will arrive undamaged?
No. It is a packing-cost estimate, not a carrier certification or a damage guarantee. It does not replace carrier requirements for liquids, batteries or hazardous materials.
Can I use PackWiser for items I sell on eBay or Etsy?
Yes. Enter the item's size, weight and fragility to get a box size, materials and packing cost before you list it, so you can set a shipping price that covers packing. PackWiser estimates packing and billable weight; it does not quote carrier postage.
How do I estimate packing for an item I bought at auction?
Measure the item, or use the dimensions from the listing, and choose how fragile it is. PackWiser recommends a box and protection and estimates the packing cost, so you can compare shipping against picking the item up yourself.
What box should I use to ship something fragile, like a lamp or glassware?
Choose a higher fragility level and PackWiser adds more clearance for cushioning on every side, then picks a box that fits. For very fragile items it flags double boxing: about 2 inches of cushioning in the inner box and about 3 inches between boxes.
Who makes PackWiser?
PackWiser is built by PickPackShip, software for packing and shipping stores. Stores can run the same engine with their own boxes, material costs and labor rates.
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